An astronomer finds a source of light in space that emits light only in specific, narrow emission lines. Kirchhoff's laws lead him to which conclusion?
A) The source cannot consist of gases but must be a solid object.
B) The source is made up of a hot, dense gas.
C) The source is made up of a hot, low-density gas.
D) The source is made up of a hot, dense gas surrounded by a rarefied gas.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Kirchhoff's laws of spectral analysis state that a hot, low-density gas emits light at specific wavelengths, producing a spectrum of bright emission lines against a darker background. This matches the description of the light source observed by the astronomer.

An Astronomer Finds a Source of Light in Space That